Suggested mechanisms for the cardio-protective effect
include reducing inflammation, preventing free radical damage, correcting
blood vessel dysfunction , inhibiting cytokine growth factors. Additionally,
omega-3 fatty acids can modify Sodium channels by directly binding
to the sodium channel proteins and thus prevent oxygen deprivation
ventricular fibrillation and sudden cardiac death.
Omega-3 fatty acids can also inhibit the synthesis
and release of pro-inflammatory chemicals known as cytokines, including
Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha (TNFalpha), a known neurotoxin, and
Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and IL-2 that are released during the early
course of oxygen deprivation caused by heart disease. These cytokines
decrease heart muscle contractility and induce heart muscle damage,
enhance the production of free radicals, which can also suppress
heart function. Furthermore, omega-3 fatty acids can increase parasympathetic
nervous system tone and protect the heart muscle against irregular
electrical beats.
Increased parasympathetic tone and acetylcholine,
the principle neurotransmitter associated with the heart’s
vagal nerve, significantly blunt the release of TNFalpha, IL-1beta,
IL-6 and IL-18. Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to be potent
neuroprotectors. Since healthy brain and vascular tissue are rich
in these fatty acids, it is suggested that the principle mechanism
of cardioprotective and neuroprotective action(s) of omega-3 fatty
acids may be due to the suppression of TNFalpha and IL synthesis
and release, modulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal anti-inflammatory
responses, and an increase in acetylcholine release.
Thus, there appears to be a close interaction between
the cardiovascular system, central nervous system, endocrine organs,
cytokines and dietary omega-3 fatty acids. This may explain why
these fatty acids could be of benefit in the management of conditions
such as cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, inflammatory bowel diseases, diabetes mellitus, essential
hypertension and atherosclerosis.
